~ "By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; Through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures." ~ "Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing" ~ "But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy." ~ "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths."~

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Korean Pajeon... Green Onion Pancakes. What do you do when you have a few vegetables in the fridge? Why, Korean-style pancakes of course:). The pancakes are simple to make, and you can have a lovely light meal in a matter of minutes. Plus, the beauty of making these pancakes is that you can make them quite simple, with just some scallions... or you can make them a bit fancier by adding extra vegetables and even some shrimp. However they're made though, it's important to have a dipping sauce. It's the sauce that makes the pancakes shine.

Over the past few weeks I've made these pancakes many times... and even played around with the ingredients. When I first started making these pancakes, I ended up making the pancakes gluten-free... using a GF rice flour blend and adding some egg with a few veggies. One day, I was real adventurous... I pureed some cooked quinoa, added some rice flour, an egg and some veggies, including scallions and chile.

Both versions were delicious, though the cooked quinoa didn't hold together as nicely as the basic flour version I am sharing today. At the time, I made them as big pancakes, and looking back, I should have made them smaller. They would have held together much better. But they were still delicious. Anyway, maybe one day I'll visit the non-gluten version again and post about it. I've made a few more gluten-free pancakes... since I wrote this... the post has been sitting in my draft folder for some time now. So here's a quick and delicious flour based, egg-free Pageon... and a gluten-free version as well. In time for scallion season.

My garden is full of scallions that are emerging from their winter hibernation:). These pancakes are so versatile... they can take a variety of vegetables, from zucchini, asparagus, carrots, scallions, etc. If you've ever made the Japanese Okonomiyaki pancakes I shared some time ago, you'll find them quite similar. Hope you enjoy...

Note: For the flour based pageon. While I didn't use any baking soda/baking powder, you may want to experiment with adding a tiny bit, especially if you want them a bit fluffier... or you can also experiment with adding an egg. Also, feel free to substitute a bit of the AP flour with some rice flour.

Tip:I like to place the pajeon pancakes in the toaster oven to continue to crisp up and be hot before serving... This helps to cook the pancake further without having a "gummy" interior. I also reheat the leftovers in the toaster oven as well.

You will need:

Pajeon batter: makes about 2(6-8 inch) pancakes

1/2 cup flour

1/2(+/-) cup cold water

1 tsp sesame oil

salt and pepper to taste

pinch of sugar, optional, I omitted

Vegetables:you can use other vegetables if you like, or use just the green onion.

2 green onions

1 small carrot

1 red jalapeno

Soy dipping sauce:this sauce can be adjusted to taste, use more or less vinegar/ sesame oil. Also you can easily double it.

2-3 TBS soy sauce

2-4 tsps rice vinegar

1-2 tsps sesame oil

chopped green onion

sesame seeds

garlic, optional

Directions:

1. Cut your green onion/scallion in 3 inch( or so) julienned strips, do the same with the carrot. Slice the red jalapeno into thin rounds.

2. Mix all ingredients together... OR mix just the batter(without the onion, carrot, and chile). Check batter consistency before cooking – batter should just a bit runnier than American pancake batter, so add a bit of water if needed. This way the pajeon can cook quickly and evenly. I cooked a couple of pancakes... with a thicker batter(the one where I poured the batter over the vegetables) and a thinner batter(the one I mixed the batter with the vegetables). Both were ok, though the thinner one cooked quicker.

3. Heat a non stick skillet (8 inch is what I used) over medium heat and coat with a thin layer of oil... 2-3 tsps.

4. Heat a few strips of scallions/carrots in the skillet so they are slightly cooked and crispy and then pour the batter over the vegetables. Add a few strips of vegetables and 3-4 chile rounds on top of the batter.

Alternately, pour batter to fill pan in a thin layer... you will need to use about 1/3-1/2 of your batter to fill an 8-10 inch skillet).

5. Cook for 3-4 minutes until set and golden brown on bottom, pressing the pancake with a flat spatula so it cooks evenly.

6. Turn pancake over with help of spatula or plate and continue cooking 2-3 more minutes, adding more oil around the edges if necessary.

2. Heat a nonstick skillet with about 1-2 TBS oil and add half the pancake batter. Cook on medium/low heat till bottom side is golden and crisp, flip over and continue to cook till crisp... or you can place skillet in a preheated hot oven to finish cooking the top. For me it's just easier to flip over.

Note:At this point you can add all the cut up vegetables to the batter mixture and proceed to cook pancakes as mentioned in step 2....

OR: if you want some of the vegetables to be seen more distinctly and get a bit of extra flavor.

You can reserve a few vegetables and mix the rest of the vegetables with the batter. Then heat a bit of oil and add some of the reserved vegetables,in a single layer, on the bottom of the hot skillet, Cook the vegetables slightly( about 1 minute or so) then add some of the pancake batter and cook as mentioned in step 2 ... which is what I ended up doing. Continue with the rest of the batter in the same manner.

This is a great post! I made these yesterday and google searched Pajeon and found your blog. I will try your dipping sauce for sure. I garnished mine with red chili paste mixed with home made plum jam and they were sooo delicious!

BEtty, I'm so glad you enjoyed the pancakes! Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback... I really appreciate it.

I love the sound of your chili paste mix. I never thought of using a sweet chili sauce with the pancakes, but I'm sure they must have been delicious... the homemade jam alone sounds delicious enough:)!

Search This Blog

Follow by Email...

My Other Blog

About Me

A big Thank-You to those of you who follow my blog. I am honored. If I have inspired you to make a dish, then I am humbled.Enjoy your visit! ~Ellie

Recent Posts

Blog Archive

Recipe Finder

Some NEAT blogs...

Helpful Links

Recent Comments

Random Posts

Springtime arrival...

A fawn in my front yard.

A river runs through it...

A Scene From My Daily Walk...

Lilacs in Bloom

Summer in Montana...

Peaceful and quiet.

Going Horseback Riding

Wildflowers by a stream

" A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver." Prov. 25:11

Fall leaves...

Big Sky Montana...in the winter.

The view outside my kitchen window...

~Blessed Beyond Measure~

" Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Heb.11:1

" Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD." Ps.31:24

" By day the LORD directs His love, at night His song is with me—." Ps.42:8

" May those who wait for You not be ashamed through me, O Lord GOD of hosts;May those who seek You not be dishonored through me, O GOD of Israel. " PSALM 69:6

BOW THE KNEE

There are moments on our journey following the LordWhere God illumines ev’ry step we take.There are times when circumstances make perfect sense to us,As we try to understand each move He makes.When the path grows dim and our questions have no answers, turn to Him.

Chorus:Bow the knee;

Trust the heart of your Father when the answer goes beyond what you can see.Bow the knee;

Lift your eyes toward heaven and believe the One who holds eternity.And when you don’t understand the purpose of His plan,In the presence of the King, bow the knee.

There are days when clouds surround us, and the rain begins to fall,The cold and lonely winds won’t cease to blow.And there seems to be no reason for the suffering we feel;We are tempted to believe God does not know.When the storms arise, don’t forget we live by faith and not by sight.

HOW DEEP THE FATHER'S LOVE FOR US

How deep the Father's love for us

How vast beyond all measure

That He should give His only Son

To make a wretch His treasure

How great the pain of searing loss

The Father turns His face away

As wounds which mar the Chosen One

Bring many sons to glory

Behold the man upon a cross

My sin upon His shoulders

Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice

Call out among the scoffers

It was my sin that held Him thereUntil it was accomplishedHis dying breath has brought me lifeI know that it is finishedI will not boast in anythingNo gifts, no power, no wisdomBut I will boast in Jesus ChristHis death and resurrectionWhy should I gain from His reward?I cannot give an answerBut this I know with all my heartHis wounds have paid my ransomWhy should I gain from His reward?I cannot give an answerBut this I know with all my heartHis wounds have paid my ransom